Economy 7 Storage and Hot Water Heating Guide

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How Storage Heaters Work

Storage heaters use electricity to heat internal elements, similar to an electric kettle. The elements warm up heavy blocks inside the heater during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. The heat is then stored and released during the following day.

The off-peak period, known as the Economy 7 tariff, typically spans 7 hours overnight, usually from midnight to 7:00 AM. These hours are set by your electricity provider and cannot be changed by the user. During this time, electricity costs are approximately one-third of the standard rate.

Some tariffs may also offer an additional cheap period in the afternoon, providing a “boost” to heaters. This is more common in Scotland. To maximize efficiency, review your specific tariff to understand when cheap rates apply.


Central Heating with Storage Heaters

Your home heating system may consist of full central heating or just a few storage heaters. A typical setup includes:

  • Storage Heaters in Living Areas: These provide heat throughout the day and into the evening.
  • Panel Heaters in Bedrooms: These heaters are used for on-peak heating and are usually switched off completely when not needed.

This system is designed for comfort, ensuring living areas stay warm during the day while keeping sleeping areas cooler.


Managing Heat Storage and Release

Storage heaters have two main controls:

1. Input/Charge Control

  • Determines how much heat is stored during off-peak hours.
  • Increase the input setting during colder weather to store the maximum amount of heat.

2. Output/Room Temperature Control

  • Regulates how quickly stored heat is released into the room.
  • Keep the output setting low to release heat gradually throughout the day. Turning it up early in the day may result in heat running out before the evening.

Modern storage heaters may also feature automatic controls that adjust settings based on the room temperature.


Maximizing Off-Peak Electricity Usage

During the Economy 7 off-peak period, all electricity usage is charged at a lower rate.

Tips for Saving Energy:

  • Run appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers after midnight to take advantage of cheaper electricity rates.
  • Be mindful of noise levels if you live in close proximity to neighbors.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Heater is Cold by the End of the Day

  • The output control may have been set too high early in the day.
  • The input control might have been set too low the previous night.
  • Poor insulation in your home may be causing heat loss.

Heater is Cold in the Morning

  • The heater may have been switched off at the wall.
  • The input control was set to minimum the previous night.
  • A power cut may have prevented the heater from charging.
  • The heater’s fuse may have blown.

Heater Doesn’t Keep the House Warm Enough

  • Your home may lack proper insulation or draught-proofing.
  • The heaters might be undersized for the space.
  • The input setting may be too low.

High Use of On-Peak Electricity

  • Be cautious about using expensive features or controls during peak times.
  • Ensure immersion heater timers are set to operate during off-peak hours.

Hot Water on Economy 7

If your home is designed for Economy 7, your system should include:

  • A timer on the immersion heater to heat water during off-peak hours overnight.
  • A “boost” option for daytime hot water top-ups. Be aware that daytime boosts use more expensive electricity.

Tips for Efficiency:

  • Make sure your hot water cylinder is well-insulated.
  • Use a modern red jacket with a British Kite Mark for insulation; older white jackets are less effective.

For further assistance or if you experience issues, contact Ridgewater Energy:

 

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